Coming of the First Born
by Marc a.k.a. Poetic Menace of R.A.W.D.A.W.G. Records


When I hooked up with Marc a.k.a. Poetic Menace of R.A.W.D.A.W.G. Records it was divine intervention. I met several individuals in the past that spoke on being in the Hip Hop industry and their interest in doing tracks for Urban Style Comics characters but none were as sincere about their craft as Poetic Menace. I already had some Hip Hop tracks that were previously composed by long time friend Tink Thomas so bringing the two together was the next logical step.

The very first beat I played for Poetic Menace seemed very appropriate for the character Dreadlocks with its distinct comic book sound. Poetic Menace quickly came up with lyrics making the song “Coming of the First Born” a reality. To continue the positive energy from our first project we decided to take the infusion of the character Dreadlocks with the lyrical talents of Poetic Menaces and his music. We decided to do the video “Come feel this” with an inclusion of art and visuals taken from the “Dreadlocks the Revelations” series.

Both projects have been the perfect bridge into the dominant Hip Hop culture of today. Hip Hop and Dreadlocks together is a powerful team, Dreadlocks would not have come as far as it has without Hip Hop. Just like Hip Hop, Urban Style Comics is utilizing similar same tools to reach the masses.

It’s great having a web site that attracts people of all ethnicity from around the world. I find it awesome to know that people are able to venture through our website and become familiar with the vast number of characters in the Urban Style Comics universe. It’s a feeling that cannot be explained in words. Although much of this has happened through our presence on the web, being on the web still doesn’t replace gaining new readership and fans of Dreadlocks like meeting people face to face in the real world.

This is the main reason Urban Style Comics has remained committed to participating in conventions across the states. We enjoy everything about the conventions, from the look on fans faces as they relate to the imagery to the lasting impression art work like that of cover artist Mshindo, a premier artists in the independent comic book world leaves on a fan.

Conventions are also a great time to catch up with old friends, network with other creative people and lastly get the actual product in the peoples hands.

After doing several Conventions we have come to realize there is nothing like being face to face with fans, vendors and spectators alike. Catching up with old friends, network with other creative people and getting the books in the hands of the people who enjoy it the most have become what we look forward to every time we go to a convention.

Simply put we love meeting and greeting all those that are at the shows and whether it is a Black expo, Comic Convention or World Festival, every appearance we make helps to grow our readership, friendships and us individually as creative people. Oh yeah! The costumes people wear are fun to look as well.

Andre L.Batts is the creator and founder of Urban Style Comics. A local comic book company located in Detroit Michigan. He explains how he was inspired to create his company.

“As a kid growing up I was so much into comic books. I would get out of school rush to the store in my neighborhood to pick up the newest editions of the different Marvel comic characters such as the Avengers, X-Men, Spiderman, Doctor Strange and a host of others. But as years past by the Images in the Comic industry were dominated by the same majority race. Only a few images looked like myself and my surroundings.

Then in the early 1990′s there was the explosion of Black Characters and companies such as Milestone Media, Tribe and last but not least Big City Comics creation of Brother man.

This type of Ideology prevails in mainstream comics even to this day whether they want to acknowledge it or not . It is what it is! I feel that I am a part of a revolutionary approach to comics.

Dreadlocks

When asked if he thinks the mainstream industry will ever accept his style of work, and does it matter to him, Andre offered this reply. “When they’re ready for it ,yes. It matters if you’re in it only for financial gains. If you’re in it for the love of comics and Black culture, it doesn’t matter because those in the underground are going to continue to support your idea, which is more important to me.”

Jihad A.D

Blackwatch

Jihad A.D

Urban Style Comics are available locally at Detroit comics and online directly from the company.

Detroit Comic Books ExaminerOz Wilson Jr.